Large and high-altitude foraging ranges suggests importance of Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats (Mops plicatus) for consuming dispersing pest insects

Abstract

The tropical bat Mops plicatus feeds primarily on planthoppers, a major pest for rice farmers in Southeast Asia. This bat may help limit the spread of planthoppers by feeding on wind-dispersed individuals at high altitudes, providing an important ecosystem service. However, its foraging behavior during peak planthopper activity remains poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the three-dimensional foraging behavior of M. plicatus using miniaturized Global Positioning System loggers during peak emergence of planthoppers. We predicted that bats would spend most foraging time at high altitudes (i.e., > 110 m above ground), and use relatively large foraging ranges. Furthermore, we predicted that low-altitude flights would occur in paddy fields and high-altitude flights above forested sites on mountain ridges. Six of the 11 tracked bats used large foraging areas, covering between 40 to 1,740 km2 during a single night. The median distance bats traveled per foraging trip was 60 km (range 27–217 km), with a median maximum distance from the cave roost of 26 km (range 13–95 km). Bats flew at a median altitude of 146 m above ground, yet occasionally reached more than 1,600 m above ground. Our results confirmed that M. plicatus foraged primarily at high altitudes for about 57% of their time. They preferred paddy fields and forests while avoiding water bodies. With its high-altitude flights and preference for planthoppers as prey, M. plicatus could help limit the spread of a major rice pest in Southeast Asia. Protecting this bat species could help support rice harvests throughout the region.